UAB Minutes 09-27-17
MOUNTAIN IRON UTILITY ADVISORY BOARD
MINUTES
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2017
The meeting was called to order at 4:02 p.m. by Chairperson Renzaglia. Members present: Reynold Renzaglia, Harvey Hellyer, Bruce Peterson and Mike Downs. Members absent: Susan Tuomela. Others present: Joe Prebeg, Council Liaison, Tim Satrang, Public Works Director, and Lisa Stevens, Accounting Technician.
It was moved by Peterson and supported by Downs to approve the minutes of the July 18, 2017 meeting. The motion carried unanimously.
Ed Roskoski was present at the public forum. He brought up the 2016 Financial Audit Report and highlighted that it was noted the WWTP fund and electric fund had deficits. He questioned if the Board was aware of the deficit as there have already been rate changes in utilities the past couple years.
The Director of Public Works reported on a couple items. First, was the Nichols Township lagoons are in the process of being decommissioned. The City is on a tight schedule as the grant money expires in 2019 and it’s a “use it or lose it” grant.
Secondly, Satrang notified the Board that KLM performed a water tower inspection and reported back that there is 2-3 years left of coating. It was recommended installing a mixer that could help with ice control and would prolong the coating life. It was about 15 years ago that the tower was last painted. Prebeg questioned if there would be any grant monies available to help with the cost, and Satrang informed that he and Craig would look into it.
The dumping station at the Waste Water Treatment Plant was discussed again after a letter was sent to the Parks & Recreation Board meeting. Joe Prebeg, a member of the P&R Board, informed the board that they discussed different options for a fix but eventually came to an agreement that no changes were going to be made on their end as it would not be cost effective. After some discussion, it was moved by Hellyer and supported by Downs to leave things the way they are. The motion was unanimously carried.
The bulk hauler rates for Minntac sludge disposal were discussed. Rates per pound have been the same since at least 2005. Renzaglia questioned how the citizens’ rates have fluctuated since 2005 and possibly increasing the price per pound by that percentage. He would like Tim to get a better idea on what would be a comparable rate increase.
A couple of new business items were reported on. One being a water plant filters has developed a leak. Stantek Engineering is putting a small report together on options to repair or possibly replace. The filters are original to the plant and are located in a humid atmosphere. Another new item mentioned was a Mud Lake water line project was approved to seek quotes by the City Council. This water line has been repaired twice but is still leaking near a sleeve under the road. The County is scheduled to overlay Mud Lake Road as soon as next year. The City’s repair would be best done before the County’s project is completed.
The next meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, October 24, 2017.
At 5:00 p.m., it was moved by Peterson and supported by Downs to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried and the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Lisa Stevens
Accounting Technician
